Year after year, about this time, I meet with individuals and couples who have made a list of things they want to accomplish in the new year with either initiating or reviewing their Estate Planning as a high priority. The Byrds made very popular the first part of Ecclesiastes 3. Verse 1 AMP says, “To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.” We are now one month into this new year of 2012. Undoubtedly, you made some resolutions for the new year. You may have a long list or a relatively short list. About the end of January, statistically, the consistency in keeping the resolutions diminish. You may have decided to eat healthier, to exercise, to show more gratitude, or smell the roses more!
Don’t Procrastinate On Your Estate Planning
Looking at your Estate Planning is a high priority and should be looked at periodically. It is good stewardship for you to do this. Ecclesiastes 3:1 refers to seasons and times for every matter or purpose. Estate Planning definitely falls under that category. In fact, we should be continually maintaining our planning if we have already initiated it. If you haven’t initiated any planning, then now is the time or season to begin. It is a lifelong process because your desires, goals, and wishes will change throughout your life. Your assets will also change as you will no longer have some but you will acquire new or different ones.
There are other reasons to periodically review or prompt one to initiate Estate Planning. These are major life events or changes which include a marriage, a birth, a death, moving, a career change, or a decision change.
In order for planning to work as you intend, it must be current, which is the importance of maintenance. In order for your goals and wishes to successfully happen, you also have to initiate planning. Those goals and wishes will not just miraculously happen and it is not a shot in the dark.
It is not too late to begin to successfully plan even if you have been procrastinating. Most people to procrastinate, especially on these issues. Although I work with people who do plan, most of society does not. Unfortunately, even if you believe that your wishes will be carried out through oral wishes, those are not legally binding and the wishes of the state where you live will dictate instead.
You may feel like it is overwhelming to begin the process if you haven’t already, but just take it one step at a time. Something is better than nothing. Truly, “to everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.”